Control of the surface chemistry of Au nanoparticles is central to their functionality, yet probing the interfacial chemistry under operando conditions is challenging. Now, precision nanoparticle gaps provide a spectroscopic window to observe the chemical changes at Au interfaces during electrochemical cycling, revealing the formation of an Au–Cl adlayer that modulates the surface chemistry.
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This is a summary of: Sibug-Torres, S. M. et al. Transient Au–Cl adlayers modulate the surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles during redox reactions. Nat. Chem. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-01989-4 (2025).
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Protecting skins of Au–Cl can stabilize Au nanostructures. Nat. Chem. 18, 225–226 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-02027-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-02027-z
